Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
by Franck G. Wobst An Ohio Court of Appeals recently ruled that a city’s civil service commission acted within its rights when it suspended a city employee for 45 days for jokingly calling an African-American coworker “Black Buck” and “Big Black Buck.” Facts James Hoover worked at the city of Elyria’s water pumping plant as […]
In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is responding consistently with its historical approach to technological advancements. Before adopting AI-related compliance frameworks, the DOL is prioritizing workforce readiness for an AI-powered world. Aligned with the current administration’s policies, the DOL’s approach promotes innovation over restriction and guidance over enforcement, […]
As an HR manager, do you have a protocol for what to do if someone overdoses on the premises? What is your plan for when a coworker informs you that another employee has been high on the job? Do you have a system for tracking absences to identify employees with substance abuse problems? Substance abuse, […]
Oswald, CEO of BLR®, offered these thoughts on character (and a recent 49er’s draft decision) in a recent edition of The Oswald Letter: A few weeks ago, the San Francisco 49ers, with the 131st pick in the NFL draft, chose Marcus Lattimore, a running back out of the University of South Carolina. Considered by many […]
Historic inflation across the United States has consistently generated headlines over the past several months—and understandably so. Year-over-year inflation has topped 8%, the highest level reached in over 40 years. But these numbers aren’t as straightforward as they are often made out to be. That overall 8% inflation level doesn’t get distributed evenly across everything […]
Government employees and officials are granted “qualified immunity” in suits where they act in good faith and with a reasonable belief that their actions comply with the law. Most frequently, qualified immunity is discussed in connection with cases alleging the use of excessive force by police officers. However, a recent case before the U.S. 8th […]
The workplace is undergoing significant changes. Moving on from quiet quitting, employees are now making bold, dramatic exits in what’s being dubbed “revenge quitting.” This phenomenon sees talented individuals leaving organizations due to unfulfilled promises, toxic cultures, and a lack of recognition. And they’re not just slipping away quietly. They’re making sure their departure is […]
In California, a worker can seek treatment for a work-related illness or injury that’s expected to be covered under the employer’s workers’ compensation policy. To be paid for services performed for claims that aren’t yet finalized, the healthcare provider can file a lien (a claim for payment) against the employee’s workers’ compensation benefits claim. Unfortunately, […]
It’s a common assumption in today’s workplace that younger employees, having grown up with smartphones and social media, will naturally adapt to new technology faster than their older colleagues. But new data from the Yooz 2025 Workplace Tech Resistance report tells a different story—one that challenges these generational stereotypes. The Surprising Data: Gen Z […]
How many hours of intermittent leave is an employee entitled to if they typically only work 32 hours a week? How does overtime factor in? What if an employee works a different number of hours every week—how many hours of intermittent leave is that person eligible to take? FMLA questions are seldom simple, but Marylou […]